The latest round of the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Fuel Testing Program has found instances of vehicles that exceed their laboratory test results by as much as 20%.

A report released by the AAA revealed that five out of 13 cars tested in the latest round of its Real-World Testing Program recorded fuel consumption levels 9–20% higher than in their laboratory test results.

Additionally, four vehicles’ on-road emissions exceeded relevant Australian regulatory lab limits for either oxides of nitrogen (NOx) or carbon monoxide.

The Real-World Testing Program compares vehicles’ fuel consumption and emissions in Australian driving conditions with the laboratory test results reported by car manufacturers.

The $14 million program, launched last October, is funded by the Commonwealth Government and conducted by the AAA.

The AAA is the nation’s peak motoring body, representing Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, including RACQ, and their 8.9 million members.

The second tranche of the organisation’s Real-World Testing Program results cover a mix of small and medium SUVs, passenger cars and people movers.

Among the 13 vehicles tested, seven delivered fuel consumption within 5% of lab test results, while five exceeded their lab test fuel consumption by 9–20%.

German car maker BMW’s X3 SUV recorded the largest variation of the vehicles tested, consuming 20% more fuel in the real-world test than the laboratory test results reported by the manufacturer.

The MG3, a small car, consumed 19% more fuel on the road than in the laboratory, while the Audi Q5’s fuel consumption exceeded its corresponding lab test by 17%.

The Toyota Yaris Cross and Volvo XC40 exceeded their lab test results by 12% and 9% respectively.

However, the Kia Carnival was more fuel efficient in the real world than reported in the lab test, recording 7% lower fuel consumption.

The AAA program also found four vehicles recorded pollutant results that exceeded Australian regulatory limits for lab tests.

The Kia Carnival, Hyundai Staria and Kia Sportage all exceeded the limits for oxides of nitrogen (NOx), while the on-road carbon monoxide emissions of the MG3 were recorded at 85% higher than the regulated lab test limit.

AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said the testing offered consumers and fleet buyers a clear picture of vehicle running costs and environmental performance and would drive down demand for models that over-promised and under-delivered.

“Australian families and fleet buyers can place their faith in the reliability of these tests, which show that when comparing vehicles, consumers cannot assume that better lab performance will translate into real-world savings,’’ Mr Bradley said.

“Using these fuel consumption test results will improve motoring affordability for Australians while cleaning up our light vehicle fleet.”

Mr Bradley said the information could help a new car buyer save hundreds of dollars a year while also helping fleet owners to better manage their purchasing decisions, budgets, and environmental commitments.

“The AAA is pleased to be partnering with the Government to deliver this important program and is grateful that it enjoys bi-partisan political support,” he said.

How it works

The AAA’s Real-World Testing Program is conducted in and around Geelong and complies with strict guidelines based on European Union legislation and developed in consultation with Australian regulators and industry.

The organisation claims this ensures fuel consumption and CO2 results are repeatable and minimises the influence of human factors such as driving style and changing traffic flows.

For research purposes, the AAA undertook 23 tests on the program’s reference vehicle (a Toyota RAV4), with fuel consumption results across these tests having less than 2.5% variability.

The four-year program will test 200 cars, SUVs and utes, including electric vehicles.

Why do it?

The AAA first proposed an Australian-specific Real-World Testing Program in the wake of the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal, which showed that emissions regulations around the world were incentivising carmakers to optimise their vehicles’ fuel consumption and emissions performance for the laboratory tests being used for regulatory compliance.

Since then, international studies have highlighted large gaps between laboratory and real-world performance of new vehicles.

A 2017 AAA study of 30 popular light vehicles found that on average they consumed 23% more fuel in real-world conditions than in laboratory tests.

In addition, the real-world results achieved by 11 of the 12 diesel vehicles tested exceeded regulatory laboratory noxious emissions limits.

Visit the Real-World Testing web page for more information.

Relevant vehicle brands were notified prior to the publication of any testing results. The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Before acting on anything based on this information you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs. The information within this article is only correct as at the date of publication.